A Consumer's Dictionary of Food Additives, 7th Edition: Descriptions in Plain English of More Than 12,000 Ingredients Both Harmful and Desirable Found in Foods

by Ruth Winter

An Essential Household Reference…Revised and Updated

With our culture’s growing interest in organic foods and healthy eating, it is important to understand what food labels mean and to learn how to read between the lines. This completely revised and updated edition of A Consumer’s Dictionary of Food Additives gives you the facts about the safety and side effects of more than 12,000 ingredients–such as preservatives, food-tainting pesticides, and animal drugs–that end up in food as a result of processing and curing. It tells you what’s safe and what you should leave on the grocery-store shelves.

In addition to updated entries that cover the latest medical and scientific research on substances such as food enhancers and preservatives, this must-have guide includes more than 650 new chemicals now commonly used in food. You’ll also find information on modern food-production technologies such as bovine growth hormone and genetically engineered vegetables.

Alphabetically organized, cross-referenced, and written in everyday language, this is a precise tool for understanding food labels and knowing which products are best to bring home to your family.

Genres: Health, Reference, Food, Nonfiction, Nutrition

608 pages, Paperback

First published August 18, 1982

Reviews

[Jeannie Locke · Rating 5 out of 5]

Although this isn't a book one would read cover to cover it is a great reference book that I continue to refer to almost daily. If the sheer size of the book alone doesn't shock you (almost 600 pgs.) the content will because it contains descriptions of over 12,000 FOOD additives (many harmful) that appear on our (American) nutrition labels! Maybe this will be your incentive to buy organic and avoid processed foods. Do you know what you've been consuming and feeding your family? Find out now.

[Stela Idrizi · Rating 3 out of 5]

I enjoyed reading this book and learned so much about the things that I have always wondered about concerning food labeling and additives. A great book if you are looking to educate yourself on the matter.

[(Kelly) Wistful Texan · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent book on the many toxins that are in our food. Fantastic resource.

[Kristin]

Very interesting! I didn't read the entire book, only the chapter at the beginning because it is a dictionary. There is so much b.s. surrounding the food industry...so many government agencies and subagencies, different regulations. I plan to keep the book with my cookbooks so I can look up ingredients that are on labels.

[Annie · Rating 4 out of 5]

You'd be surprised what's in your food. It's not quite so effective if you make everything from scratch, but if you buy the occasional (or often) packaged food, this resource will help you figure out which of your foods have coloring that comes from coal... mmm.

[Jenava · Rating 5 out of 5]

Call me crazy, but I like to know what goes into my body.

[Sally · Rating 5 out of 5]

library is ordering!!!

[Brittany Rouse · Rating 5 out of 5]

It's actually pretty cool! I didn't fully read this because it's more like a dictionary but it's a wonderful reference!

[Saleris · Rating 4 out of 5]

Another book bought for food ingredient information. It works.